My 1st thought was Gutey doesn't think a top T will be available at 25. Like you said, this gives him the flexibility to wait until later in the draft of he wants.

Sometimes these guys see the end of the road coming and it gives them the motivation to work hard at their craft and they end up sticking around for awhile. He seems like the type that could really help himself by getting with an off-season coach and correcting his flaws.

He's filling Nijman's role, for now. I liked Dillard coming out of WASU. A good hedge as the OT s look to be going fast in Rds one-two. Maybe he is dialing in on a trade-up for a DB? Maybe he fights it out with Newman ?

A former first rounder with experience and in his prime is a solid depth piece. Dillard certainly knows he's running out of chances and perhaps he comes to the Packers motivated show he can start and play at a high level.

His signing may nudge C/G prospects up Gutey's board. But if a top T falls he will likely get a call from Brian next Thursday.

Agree. I am cautious about Mims and Guyton...especially Mims.

He's all sizzle, no steak as in consistent, dependable college production. The sizzle is as appealing as a ribeye on the Weber...but with only 8 career injury laden college starts then taking that thin resume into the draft as a true Jr to cash in on his huge size screams boom or bust. I think more bust potential.

Under strength finesse LT when drafted with quick feet and the same size as Bakh was on entering the league. Often compared to him back then. Not much since.

He did have one good year between injuries, 2021, when he had a 69.6 overall grade. In 2022, he had most of his snaps at guard and got a good 84.7 pass block grade in the interior. That actually could be where this is going.

Last year, with the Titans, Dillard played all his snaps at left tackle, finishing with a poor 51.0 overall grade (over 10 points below their grade in Nijman) and a 47.4 pass block grade. He really wasn’t good. I think he was the worst graded T by PFF of those with over 300 snaps.

I’m hoping this is a no commitment redemption style deal for a player some thought would not get another chance after last year. There had been some rumors he might end up as a G, where he played some snaps quite well in 2022.

Or maybe they are potentially going to move Tom and considering one of them to start. It’s just as likely that he’s being moved to G, which the Eagles toyed with.

or it's another elaborate smoke screen. nothing ventured, nothing gained.

or, weirdly, they actually like the guy and think he can be something.

I think they like Jones more than the others. He was protected on the 53 man squad so that he wouldn't get poached. But hopefully, this guy Lillard will be an improvement over Jones at this point. He started about half the season at RT for the Titans, who finished 6-11 and were one of the weaker scoring teams in the league.

But a guy who's averaging a sack/game?

And here's the thing about Lillard that I'm wondering about. A first rounder, doesn't work out for the team that drafted him and they part company after three years. Then a second team picks him up, he doesn't play very well, and the team would rather have $5M dead money on the cap than bring this guy back for a second year.

This feels shaky to me. But of course, the front office knows a lot more and maybe they feel like they can make it happen for him. They're optimists. Best of luck on this but I'm still thinking we need premium OT beef in this draft.

They like Jones and Tenuta. They also realize competition is the best motivator. Time will tell; but my money is on Big Caleb to dominate as number one backup. Still, this was a good free agency signing. Let the draft and the competition begin.

Can you be both fodder and a commodity?

Who you got for top five game changers in this draft?

In our range.

What game changers are still on the FA market on the OL?

He moved two # four picks and snagged Savage ahead of Dillard, leaving Josh Jacobs and Montez Sweat on the "board,' if that is what you are referencing.